from NQOBANI MATHIBELA in Gwanda, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
GWANDA, (CAJ News) – THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s (ZIMRA) decision to establish a new inland checkpoint in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, has ignited outrage across the region, with residents, travellers, and legislators condemning the move as unnecessary, economically disruptive, and reflective of the government’s long-standing neglect of the Matabeleland provinces.
The controversy stems from ZIMRA’s creation of what many citizens have dubbed a second border post, despite the existence of the fully equipped and internationally recognised Beitbridge Border Post, the country’s main port of entry for traffic from South Africa.
Motorists travelling along the Beitbridge–Gwanda and Bulawayo–Victoria Falls routes have expressed deep frustration over being subjected to lengthy delays at the new inland checkpoint, describing the development as unconstitutional and discriminatory—particularly toward Ndebele-speaking communities.
Senator for Matabeleland South, Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa, delivered a blistering critique in Parliament, accusing ZIMRA of instituting a system that undermines national economic goals, violates citizens’ rights, and reinforces perceptions that government policies continue to marginalise the Matabeleland region.
“ZIMRA’s new Gwanda roadblock station is, to me, an unjustified national burden,” she said.
“It is frustrating thousands of citizens every day and directly undermines the ease of doing business in our country. ZIMRA has quietly established an additional inland checkpoint in Gwanda where every single vehicle coming from Johannesburg is stopped—sometimes for hours. This has become a de facto second border post, yet ZIMRA already has full authority, equipment and manpower at Beitbridge, our official and constitutional port of entry.”
Senator Mlotshwa argued that the new checkpoint represents a duplication of duties that should have been completed at Beitbridge.
“Creating a second checkpoint inside the country is unnecessary and burdensome,” she charged.
“If ZIMRA needs to conduct thorough checks, those must happen at the border—not hundreds of kilometres away, inconveniencing citizens and businesses that have already met the requirements at Beitbridge.”
She noted that the delays have caused significant economic disruption, affecting transporters, cross-border traders, small businesses, commercial motorists, and ordinary families travelling between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
According to her, the system appears “designed to delay rather than facilitate movement,” which contradicts the government’s stated commitment to modernising border processes and reducing bottlenecks.
Senator Mlotshwa also raised safety and humanitarian concerns, pointing out that travellers often find themselves stranded for long periods in remote areas, including at night.
“We cannot expose our people to danger, robberies and discomfort like this,” she said.
“Women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities are being forced to wait for hours in unsafe conditions. This is unacceptable.”
The Senator further criticised what she described as a lack of transparency on the part of ZIMRA, saying there has been no clear communication about the legal basis, operational purpose, or necessity of the new inland facility.
“Zimbabwe says it is improving the ease of doing business, modernising borders and reducing bottlenecks—yet the lived reality tells a very different story,” she said.
“We cannot allow a situation where citizens are cleared at Beitbridge only to be re-cleared again in Gwanda. It is inefficient, costly and unnecessary.”
She demanded that the Minister of Finance and the ZIMRA Commissioner-General provide Parliament with an explanation.
“What is the purpose of this inland checkpoint? Why are travellers being delayed for hours? And why is this not done at the border where it constitutionally belongs?” she asked.
The backlash comes against a broader backdrop of longstanding grievances in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Bulawayo, where communities have for decades accused successive ZANU-PF governments of systemic underdevelopment, poor infrastructure investment, marginalisation of local languages, limited job creation and inadequate public services.
Many residents argue that decisions such as the Gwanda inland checkpoint reinforce a historical pattern in which Matabeleland is treated as peripheral to national priorities.
Senator Mlotshwa echoed these sentiments:
“People of Zimbabwe—especially in Matabeleland—deserve efficient systems and equal treatment. ZIMRA must do its job thoroughly at the border and stop creating parallel structures that punish our citizens.”
The controversy continues to stir debate nationwide as many await the government’s official response.
– CAJ News